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It is a given that without the common enemy of Israel, many of the Middle East's factions would be warring with one another. This is becoming more apparent as a result of the various "Arab Spring" uprisings.

Two of Israel's most active foes - Hamas and Hezbollah - are currently in danger of being swept up in intra-Arab violence that could cripple their respective ability to threaten the Jewish state.

In Gaza, Hamas has of late found itself in competition with groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and Global Jihad for the hearts of minds of local Palestinians. In response, Hamas has reportedly started rounding up and jailing its rivals.

The information arm of Global Jihad has issued a warning that if Hamas does not cease this activity, it's cells in Gaza will target Hamas interests and reignite violence with Israel, thereby inviting an Israeli assault on the Hamas regime. That according to Israeli monitoring group Terror Watch.

Along the Lebanon-Syria border, Syrian rebels battling the regime of Bashar Assad are becoming fed up with Hezbollah's support for the embattled dictator. Hezbollah forces have crossed into Syria and are said to be taking part in battles against the rebel Free Syrian Army. More recently, Hezbollah began firing artillery across the border.

Free Syrian Army officials told the AFP that if the cross-border fire does not stop within 48 hours, Syrian rebel forces will return fire and might even invade Lebanon in order to eliminate the Hezbollah threat.

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